metropolis II

Earlier today, I noted that it’s the one year anniversary of Chris Burden’s death and spoke of his ability to frame technology and architecture as a prosthetic extension of human endurance. What’s a better memorial to a man who revolutionized the Los Angeles art scene than a perpetual motion freeway?

His “Metropolis II” installation moves over 100,000 miniature cars an hour, forever spiraling around a monumental cityscape. Completed in 2010, it’s been on display at LACMA since 2011. Chris Burden will be remembered as a controversial genius for many reasons, but there’s no denying it’s an impressive feat to have designed the only roadways in LA where the traffic’s always moving.

Think Hot Wheels has pushed the limits of racecar set-ups? Think again. Chris Burden talks about Metropolis II, his mini city that took four years to build. The moment his God-like finger descends on the city’s “stop” button puts your day-to-day into rather harsh perspective.